Quick Assembly Structure of Faucet Handle Base

ABSTRACT

A quick assembly structure of a faucet handle base, which is fixed in each of at least one valve assembly, each valve assembly is mounted in each inlet valve seat of a body and includes a valve core, an angle limiting holder, and an affixing nut. Each of at least one screwing member includes inner threads and outer threads. Each of at least one handle mount includes: a housing having an orifice and a receiving chamber with a threaded connecting section; a handle bar having an operating portion and a first extension; a connector having a second extension and a coupling portion. The second extension is inserted to and connected with the orifice to further join with the first extension; the coupling portion is fitted with each valve core, hence each valve core is driven by the coupling portion, and the coupling portion is stopped by the angle limiting holder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a faucet handle base of a faucet, andmore particularly to a quick assembly structure of the faucet handlebase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional faucet, such as a two-handle faucet, contains a body, adecorative cover, an outlet member, two valve assemblies, and two handlemounts. The body is formed in a H shape and includes two inlet seatsdisposed on two sides thereof, at least one outlet connector mounted ona middle section thereof, a cold-water support and a hot-water supportextending outwardly from a bottom end thereof and screwing with twoscrewing elements via a basin, thus fixing the body on the basin. Thedecorative cover is covered on the basin so that the body is hiddenbetween the decorative cover and the basin, and the body includes twofirst orifices defined on the two sides thereof and a second orificeformed on a middle section thereof opposite to the two inlet seats andthe outlet connector. The outlet member is joined with the outletconnector of the body and flows water therefrom. The two valveassemblies are fixed on the inlet seats of the body. The two handlemounts are disposed on and rotate the two valve assemblies, thuscontrolling a water supply.

A conventional quick assembly structure of the faucet handle base isdisclosed in TW Utility Model No. M271998 and M472141 and contains ahandle mount through which a screw is inserted to screw and contact witha valve assembly, such that the handle mount is fixed on the valveassembly. However, the handle mount has a hole drilled thereon to causepoor appearance even though a plug is inserted into the hole.

In addition, in operation, a plug and the screw are unscrewed by a toolto remove the handle mount. The screw is inserted through the handlemount and the valve assembly by ways of the tool, and the plug isretained into the hole, thus causing troublesome operation by using thetool. To insert the plug into the hole smoothly, it is made of plasticmaterial. But the handle mount is made of metal material to haveinconsistent appearance. Furthermore, water will leak from the hole torust the screw.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate theafore-described disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a quick assemblystructure of a faucet handle base which is capable of manuallyassembling and disassembling the faucet handle base quickly.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a quick assemblystructure of a faucet handle base which obtains esthetics appearance andwaterproof purpose of the faucet handle base.

To obtain the above aspect(s), a quick assembly structure of a faucethandle base provided by the present invention which is fixed in each ofat least one valve assembly; each valve assembly is mounted in each ofat least one inlet valve seat of a body and includes a valve core, anangle limiting holder fitted with the valve core, and an affixing nutscrewed on each inlet valve seat to lock the angle limiting holder andthe valve core in each inlet valve seat.

Each of at least one screwing member includes inner threads and outerthreads, wherein the inner threads screw with each inlet valve seat ofthe body so that each screwing member is defined between the affixingnut and each inlet valve seat.

Each of at least one handle mount includes:

a housing formed in a bell shape and having an orifice defined thereinand a receiving chamber formed below and communicating with the orifice;the receiving chamber having a threaded connecting section arranged onan inner wall thereof to screw with or unscrew from each screwingmember;

a handle bar having an operating portion and a first extension one pieceextending downwardly from the operating portion; the first extensionbeing inserted into and coupled with the orifice of the housing;

a connector having a second extension formed on an upper side thereofand a coupling portion arranged on a lower side thereof; the secondextension being inserted to and connected with the orifice of thehousing to further join with the first extension; the coupling portionbeing fitted with the valve core, such that the valve core is driven bythe coupling portion, and the coupling portion is stopped by the anglelimiting holder, thus limiting a rotation of the valve core with in anangular range.

The quick assembly structure of the faucet handle base further contains:each of at least one upper sleeve mounted between a top end of theorifice of the housing and the first extension of the handle bar; eachof at least one lower sleeve fixed between a bottom end of the orificeof the housing and the second extension of the connector; wherein thehousing is rotated on the first extension of the handle bar and thesecond extension of the connector by ways of each upper sleeve and eachlower sleeve.

Preferably, the first extension of the handle bar also has a recessbeing non-circular and defined on a bottom end thereof, and the secondextension of the connector has a retaining block being non-circular andextending outwardly from a top end thereof to retain with the recess.

Preferably, the coupling portion of the connector has a definingprotrusion; and the angle limiting holder has a shoulder formed thereon,such that when the connector rotates with the handle bar, it is stoppedby the shoulder of the angle limiting holder, thus limiting a rotationof the connector; the recess of the handle bar has a fixing notchdefined therein; and the retaining block of the connector has a ribextending outwardly around an outer wall thereof to retain with thefixing notch, such that the operating portion of the handle bar isaligned with the retaining block of the connector.

Preferably, the recess of the handle bar further has a first apertureformed on a central position thereof; the second extension of theconnector also has a second aperture defined thereon; such that alocking bolt is inserted through the second aperture to screw with thefirst aperture, and the first extension of the handle bar is connectedwith the second extension of the connector.

Preferably, the coupling portion of the connector has a non-circulartrough defined therein, communicating with the second aperture, andfitted with the valve core.

Preferably, each screwing member also includes an annular fence and alip horizontally extending around a bottom end of an inner wall thereof;and the annular fence has the outer threads formed around an outer wallthereof; the lip has the inner threads arranged around an inner wallthereof

Preferably, a decorative cover is covered on the body; the lip of eachscrewing member is defined between the affixing nut and the decorativecover.

It is to be noted that each valve assembly and each handle mount areassembled completely, before fixing the faucet handle base in thetwo-handle faucet, so each handle mount is aligned and retained witheach valve assembly easily, and the housing is screwed with eachscrewing member quickly, thus fixing each handle mount and each valveassembly easily. As desiring to replace or maintain the faucet handlebase, the housing is rotated counterclockwise to manually remove eachhandle mount and each valve assembly easily and quickly. In other words,the handle mount of the conventional quick assembly structure has thehole drilled thereon so that the tool is inserted into the hole torotate the screw, thus damaging an appearance of the handle mount.

Accordingly, the hole drilled on each handle mount of the presentinvention is eliminated to avoid water leakage from each handle mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a faucet accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of a faucetaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of a handle mountof the faucet according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the exploded components of apartial valve assembly of a quick assembly structure of a faucet handlebase according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the exploded components of apartial valve assembly of the quick assembly structure of the faucethandle base according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is another cross sectional view showing the assembly of thehandle mount of the quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the exploded components of thehandle mount of the quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the assembly of ahousing of the quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of a handle bar of the quickassembly structure of the faucet handle base according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of thehandle bar of the quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the assembly of aconnector of the quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a quick assembly structure of a faucethandle base according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis fixed in a two-handle faucet which includes a body 1 in a H shape,the body 1 includes two inlet valve seats 1 a disposed on two sides of atop end thereof, two accommodating cavities 1 b defined in the two inletvalve seats 1 a, two valve assemblies 2 mounted on the two accommodatingcavities 1 b, and two inlet supports 1 c extending downwardly from abottom end thereof, inserted through two first through holes 3 a of abasin 3, and engaged with two fasteners 4. A positioning plate 5 a and abottom plate 5 b are fitted on the two inlet valve seats 1 a, whereinthe bottom plate 5 b abuts against the basin 3. A decorative cover 6 iscovered on the body 1 and includes a bottom end contacting with thebottom plate 5 b, and the two valve assemblies 2 upwardly extend out oftwo second through holes 6 a on two sides of the decorative cover 6. Twohandle mounts 7 are fixed on the two valves assemblies 2 and rotate twovalve cores 2 a of the two valve assemblies 2 to turn on/off cold watersupply and hot water supply from the two inlet supports 1 c via at leastone outlet connector 1 d. In this embodiment, one outlet connector 1 dis provided to insert through the decorative cover 6 so as to connectwith an outlet member 8. Since above-mentioned components are awell-known art, further remarks are omitted. Each valve assembly 2 alsoincludes an angle limiting holder 2 b fitted with each valve core 2 aand includes an affixing nut 2 c screwed on each inlet valve seat 1 a ofthe body 1 to lock the angle limiting holder 2 b and each valve core 2 ain each inlet valve seat 1 a. Due to above-described structure is awell-known prior art, further remarks are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the quick assembly structure of the faucethandle base of the present invention comprises: two screwing members 10,each including inner threads 11 and outer threads 12, wherein the innerthreads 11 screw with each inlet valve seat 1 a of the body 1 so thateach screwing member 10 is defined between the affixing nut 2 c and eachinlet valve seat 1 a. In detail, each screwing member 10 is definedbetween the affixing nut 2 c and a top end of the decorative cover 6.

Preferably, each screwing member 10 also includes an annular fence 101and a lip 102 horizontally extending around a bottom end of an innerwall thereof; and the annular fence 101 has the outer threads 12 formedaround an outer wall thereof; the lip 102 has the inner threads 11arranged around an inner wall thereof, such that the affixing nut 2 c isfixed on the top end of the decorative cover 6 by using the lip 102.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each handle mount 7 includes a housing 20formed in a bell shape as illustrated in FIG. 8, and the housing 20 hasan orifice 21 defined therein and a receiving chamber 22 formed belowand communicating with the orifice 21; the receiving chamber 22 has athreaded connecting section 221 arranged on an inner wall thereof toscrew with or unscrew from each screwing member 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of at least one handle bar 30includes an operating portion 31 and a first extension 32 one pieceextending downwardly from the operating portion 31; the first extension32 is inserted into and coupled with the orifice 21 of the housing 20,as shown in FIG. 6.

With reference to FIG. 11, each of at least one connector 40 includes asecond extension 41 formed on an upper side thereof and a couplingportion 42 arranged on a lower side thereof; the second extension 41 isinserted to and connected with the orifice 21 of the housing 20 tofurther join with the first extension 32; the coupling portion 42 isfitted with each valve core 2 a, such that each valve core 2 a is drivenby the coupling portion 42, and the coupling portion 42 is stopped bythe angle limiting holder 2 b, as shown in FIG. 5, thus limiting arotation of each valve core 2 a with in an angular angle, such asbetween an opening position and a closing position.

Each of at least one upper sleeve 50, as illustrated in FIG. 6, ismounted between a top end of the orifice 21 of the housing 20 and thefirst extension 32 of each handle bar 30.

Each of at least one lower sleeve 60, as shown in FIG. 6, is fixedbetween a bottom end of the orifice 21 of the housing 20 and the secondextension 41 of each connector 40; the housing 20 is rotated smoothly onthe first extension 32 of each handle bar 30 and the second extension 41of each connector 40 by ways of each upper sleeve 50 and each lowersleeve 60.

Preferably, the first extension 32 of each handle bar 30 has a closingring 33 fitted on an outer wall thereof and contacting with an innerwall of the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 6, thus obtaining waterstopping effect.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, the first extension 32 of eachhandle bar 30 also has a recess 34 being non-circular and defined on abottom end thereof, and the second extension 41 of each connector 40 hasa retaining block 43 being non-circular and extending outwardly from atop end thereof to retain with the recess 34; wherein the recess 34 ofeach handle bar 30 is formed in a quadrangle shape.

The recess 34 of each handle bar 30 further has a first aperture 35formed on a central position thereof, and the second extension 41 ofeach connector 40 also has a second aperture 44 defined thereon, suchthat a locking bolt 401 is inserted through the second aperture 44 toscrew with the first aperture 35, and the first extension 32 of eachhandle bar 30 is connected with the second extension 41 of eachconnector 40.

It is to be noted that the coupling portion 42 is stopped by the anglelimiting holder 2 b to limit the rotation of each valve core 2 a betweenthe opening position and the closing position. Referring to FIG. 7, thecoupling portion 42 of each connector 40 has a defining protrusion 421extending outwardly from a bottom end thereof, and the angle limitingholder 2 b has a shoulder 2 d formed thereon, as shown in FIG. 5, suchthat when each connector 40 rotates with each handle bar 30, it isstopped by the shoulder 2 d of the angle limiting holder 2 b, thuslimiting a rotation of each connector 40.

As shown in FIG. 9, the recess 34 of each handle bar 30 has a fixingnotch 341 defined therein, and the retaining block 43 of each connector40 has a rib 431 extending outwardly around an outer wall thereof toretain with the fixing notch 341, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, suchthat the operating portion 31 of each handle bar 30 is aligned with theretaining block 43 of each connector 40 accurately.

To drive each valve core 2 a to rotate by ways of each connector 40, thecoupling portion 42 of each connector 40 has a non-circular trough 45defined therein, communicating with the second aperture 44, and fittedwith each valve core 2 a, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 11; wherein thetrough 45 is formed in a D shape.

With reference to FIG. 4, each valve assembly 2 and each handle mount 7are connected together beforehand. Referring further to FIG. 5, afterthe angle limiting holder 2 b is fitted with each valve core 2 a, eachscrewing member 10 is screwed with the top end of the decorative cover6, and then the affixing nut 2 c is screwed with each inlet valve seat 1a of the body 1, such that the lip 102 of each screwing member 10 isdefined between the affixing nut 2 c and the decorative cover 6, thusassembling each valve assembly 2 completely. In addition, each valvecore 2 a is rotated to the closing position beforehand.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper sleeve 50 is mounted on the top end of theorifice 21, the lower sleeve 60 is disposed on the bottom end of theorifice 21, the first extension 32 of each handle bar 30 is insertedinto the upper sleeve 50 via the top end of the orifice 21, and thesecond extension 41 of each connector 40 is inserted into lower sleeve60 via the bottom end of the orifice 21, thereafter the locking bolt 401is inserted through the second aperture 44 of each connector 40 to screwwith the first aperture 35 of the first extension 32, and the firstextension 32 of each handle bar 30 is connected with the secondextension 41 of each connector 40, thereby assembling each handle mount7 completely.

In operation, the trough 45 of each connector 40 is aligned and retainedwith each valve core 2 a, and the housing 20 is rotated clockwise sothat the threaded connecting section 221 of the receiving chamber 22screws with the outer threads 12 of each screwing member 10, and thehousing 20 presses the top end of the decorative cover 6, thus fixingeach handle mount 7 as illustrated in FIG. 3. On the contrary, when thehousing 20 is rotated counterclockwise, each handle mount 7 is removedfrom each valve assembly 2.

It is to be noted that each valve assembly 2 and each handle mount 7 areassembled completely, before fixing the faucet handle base in thetwo-handle faucet, so each handle mount 7 is aligned and retained witheach valve assembly 2 easily, and the housing 20 is screwed with eachscrewing member 10 quickly, thus fixing each handle mount 7 and eachvalve assembly 2 easily. As desiring to replace or maintain the faucethandle base, the housing 20 is rotated counterclockwise to manuallyremove each handle mount 7 and each valve assembly 2 easily and quickly.In other words, the handle mount of the conventional quick assemblystructure has the hole drilled thereon so that the tool is inserted intothe hole to rotate the screw, thus damaging an appearance of the handlemount.

Accordingly, the hole drilled on each handle mount of the presentinvention is eliminated to avoid water leakage from each handle mount.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth forthe purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments ofthe invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to thoseskilled in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by thepreferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given thebroadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick assembly structure of a faucet handlebase, which is fixed in each of at least one valve assembly; each valveassembly being mounted in each of at least one inlet valve seat of abody and including a valve core, an angle limiting holder fitted withthe valve core, and an affixing nut screwed on each inlet valve seat tolock the angle limiting holder and the valve core in each inlet valveseat; characterized in that: at least one screwing member, eachincluding inner threads and outer threads, wherein the inner threadsscrew with each inlet valve seat of the body so that each screwingmember is defined between the affixing nut and each inlet valve seat; atleast one handle mount, each including: a housing formed in a bell shapeand having an orifice defined therein and a receiving chamber formedbelow and communicating with the orifice; the receiving chamber having athreaded connecting section arranged on an inner wall thereof to screwwith or unscrew from each screwing member; a handle bar having anoperating portion and a first extension one piece extending downwardlyfrom the operating portion; the first extension being inserted into andcoupled with the orifice of the housing; a connector having a secondextension formed on an upper side thereof and a coupling portionarranged on a lower side thereof; the second extension being inserted toand connected with the orifice of the housing to further join with thefirst extension; the coupling portion being fitted with the valve core,such that the valve core is driven by the coupling portion, and thecoupling portion is stopped by the angle limiting holder, thus limitinga rotation of the valve core with in an angular range.
 2. The quickassembly structure of the faucet handle base as claimed in claim 1further comprising each of at least one upper sleeve mounted between atop end of the orifice of the housing and the first extension of thehandle bar; each of at least one lower sleeve fixed between a bottom endof the orifice of the housing and the second extension of the connector;wherein the housing is rotated on the first extension of the handle barand the second extension of the connector by ways of each upper sleeveand each lower sleeve.
 3. The quick assembly structure of the faucethandle base as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first extension of thehandle bar has a closing ring fitted on an outer wall thereof andcontacting with an inner wall of the housing.
 4. The quick assemblystructure of the faucet handle base as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst extension of the handle bar also has a recess being non-circularand defined on a bottom end thereof, and the second extension of theconnector has a retaining block being non-circular and extendingoutwardly from a top end thereof to retain with the recess.
 5. The quickassembly structure of the faucet handle base as claimed in claim 4,wherein the coupling portion of the connector has a defining protrusion;and the angle limiting holder has a shoulder formed thereon, such thatwhen the connector rotates with the handle bar, it is stopped by theshoulder of the angle limiting holder, thus limiting a rotation of theconnector; the recess of the handle bar has a fixing notch definedtherein; and the retaining block of the connector has a rib extendingoutwardly around an outer wall thereof to retain with the fixing notch,such that the operating portion of the handle bar is aligned with theretaining block of the connector.
 6. The quick assembly structure of thefaucet handle base as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess of thehandle bar further has a first aperture formed on a central positionthereof; the second extension of the connector also has a secondaperture defined thereon; such that a locking bolt is inserted throughthe second aperture to screw with the first aperture, and the firstextension of the handle bar is connected with the second extension ofthe connector.
 7. The quick assembly structure of the faucet handle baseas claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess of the handle bar is formed ina quadrangle shape.
 8. The quick assembly structure of the faucet handlebase as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling portion of theconnector has a non-circular trough defined therein, communicating withthe second aperture, and fitted with the valve core.
 9. The quickassembly structure of the faucet handle base as claimed in claim 8,wherein the non-circular trough is formed in a D shape.
 10. The quickassembly structure of the faucet handle base as claimed in claim 1,wherein each screwing member also includes an annular fence and a liphorizontally extending around a bottom end of an inner wall thereof; andthe annular fence has the outer threads formed around an outer wallthereof; the lip has the inner threads arranged around an inner wallthereof.
 11. The quick assembly structure of the faucet handle base asclaimed in claim 10, wherein a decorative cover is covered on the body;the lip of each screwing member is defined between the affixing nut andthe decorative cover.